Hong Kong snatched six Winner and 11 Merit awards at the 20th Asia Pacific Information & Communications Technology Alliance (APICTA) Awards, the largest number of Winner awards won among the 14 competing member economies.

These include two Government-led anti-epidemic entries, proving that the proactive use of innovation and technology by Hong Kong has played a pivotal role in the fight against the epidemic.

They are: “Achieving Zero-COVID with the Integrated Hong Kong Digital Health Platform” and “StayHomeSafe home quarantine monitoring system”.

The “Achieving Zero-COVID with the Integrated Hong Kong Digital Health Platform” covers a number of information technology platforms developed and used by organisations such as the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority.

It is interwoven with measures on testing, close contact tracing, vaccination and provision of quarantine and treatment facilities to achieve the objective of early identification, early isolation and early treatment of the infected.

Congratulating the winning teams, Government Chief Information Officer Victor Lam said the projects that won awards have contributed to building Hong Kong into a smart city and improving citizens' quality of life.

The APICTA Awards is held annually to stimulate information and communications technology innovation and creativity, facilitate technology transfer and offer business matching opportunities via exposure to venture capitalists and angel investors.

It was held online this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"When the pandemic situation stabilises, I look forward to leading the Hong Kong delegation to participate physically in this major annual competition to be held overseas next year," Mr Lam said.